Lawmaker's ouster called almost certain

ANNAPOLIS - Embattled state Sen. Larry Young merely prolonged the inevitable by refusing to resign from his seat in the Maryland General Assembly, Washington County legislators said Wednesday.

Both Senate members representing the county said they expect Young to be expelled by his fellow members - an action that hasn't been taken by the legislature in more than 200 years.

Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington, said he expects the Senate to vote for Young's ouster after debating the matter Friday morning.

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Expelling a member requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, meaning at least 32 of the house's 47 members will have to vote to remove Young.

Sen. John W. Derr, R-Frederick/Washington, said getting that many votes should be easy.

"I honestly think it will be more like 40 votes," Derr said.

A legislative panel earlier this week issued a report that said Young, a Baltimore City lawmaker, had used his political office to benefit various businesses he controlled.

The report recommended that the Senate consider censuring or expelling Young for violating ethics laws. Many lawmakers expected him resign first and spare himself the embarrassment of an expulsion vote.

But a defiant Young took his seat in the Senate briefly Wednesday, leaving before the resolution calling for his expulsion was introduced.

If the Senate votes to oust Young, it would be a first since 1797. That case involved a member of the House of Delegates who was thrown out for cardsharping.

"It is historic, and I'm glad it only happens once every 200 years," Munson said.